The 2024 Defence Blood Drive concluded in December, supporting 29,787 Australians with life-giving blood products thanks to service personnel, APS and defence industry communities across Australia.
Army topped the charts throughout the drive, ending with 3170 donations, followed by Navy with 2432 donations and Air Force with 1828 donations. Defence public servants made 942 donations - a remarkable 20 per cent increase on the previous year. The broader defence community, including defence industry, supported the drive with 1573 donations from 39 teams.
As well as encouraging existing donors to give, this year's drive inspired 533 people to give for the first time.
Lifeblood spokesperson Sally Deveson thanked the Defence and industry teams that supported last year's blood drive.
"The need for blood products doesn't take a holiday, and demand for blood products is the highest it's been in 12 years,' she said.
'With each donation saving up to three lives, the impact was far reaching, with the Defence Blood Drive saving almost 30,000 patients. Donations also helped improve the quality of life for people living with cancer, immune conditions, blood disorders and more, and the flow-on impact of this incredible generosity to families is profound.'
Blood Drive Ambassador and Surgeon General of the ADF Rear Admiral Sonya Bennett thanked Defence donors.
'It's important that we all recognise blood is a high-value resource, both in times of conflict and peace'.
'Congratulations and well done to everyone who was able to donate during the 2024 Defence Blood Drive. Every blood donation can save someone's life, so it was very heartening to see so many Defence people literally roll up their sleeves and donate,' Rear Admiral Bennett said.
Group Captain David Taplin, Chief of Staff to Joint Health Command, donated during the last week of the drive. He said donating made all the difference to fellow Australians.
'Blood is a vital resource, not only for Australian Defence Force personnel, but also for critically ill and vulnerable patients in the civilian healthcare system. It's important that we all recognise blood is a high-value resource, both in times of conflict and peace. Recognising the life-saving difference this makes to people's lives will hopefully encourage more people to donate in the future.'
Ms Deveson said ADF, Defence and defence industry Lifeblood teams made 9945 donations during the Defence Blood Drive.
"[They] came together and made a big difference," she said.
Australia needs 33,000 donations each week. Donations can be made at any time of year.
Visit Lifeblood to make an appointment.
